Photo Credit - Kaizer Chiefs Media.
Kaizer Chiefs defender Rushwin Dortley believes they will be at their full potential when they face rivals Mamalodi Sundowns in a Betway Premiership fixture at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
Amakhosi will head into the fixture seeking to earn revenge having already lost twice to the Brazilians. The first defeat came in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals clash in September which Sundowns won 2-1 before they beat them again 4-1 in the first round fixture of the league at FNB Stadium in November.
According to the 22-year-old Dortley, who has managed 17 league appearances so far this season, Amakhosi are a big team just like Sundowns, and they will rise to the occasion to make their fans happy.
“This is a big game. They [Sundowns] have already beaten us twice [2-1 and 4-1 both at home in the league and the Carling Knockout quarterfinals in September and November], so we need to show that Kaizer Chiefs are also a big club and we can rise to the occasion on big stages. We also want to lift the spirits of our fans,” said Dortley as quoted by Sowetan.
On their game plan, Dortley explained his desire to keep a clean sheet against a free scoring Sundowns. “We kept a few clean sheets before losing 4-1 to SuperSport [they kept two in a row versus Stellenbosch and Chippa United], so as a defensive unit, we want to return to keeping clean sheets. To us as defenders and goalkeepers, keeping a clean sheet is like scoring a goal, so it's important to defend hard,” he said.
On the departure of defender Thatayaone “TT” Ditlhokwe, Dortley said: “TT isn't a natural left-back but he did well in that position before leaving us. His departure isn't a big deal because we have players who are natural left-backs and a few others who can step up if the coach calls upon them to do so. We have to adapt to life without TT now and I believe we will do that.”
While Chiefs are lying eighth on the league table with 25 points from 18 matches, Sundowns are leading the log with 51 points but they have played a game more.
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